Rice Farming

Rice stink bugs are on the wing in southwestern Louisiana rice fields, and LSU AgCenter entomologists expect this summer to be worse than last year for potential crop damage.

"We're seeing stink bugs now everywhere - all the fields we visit," says LSU AgCenter enotomologist Boris Castro. "A lot of places the farmers have sprayed already, some twice."

Castro and LSU bug expert Dr. Mike Stout discussed rice water weevil and stink bug control June 26 at the annual Rice Field Day at the LSU AgCenter's Rice Research Station in Crowley.

More than 600 participants - farmers, scientists and others - attended the field day under overcast skies.
As for the problem insects discussed during the field day, rice stink bugs don't yet rival the water weevil as the No. 1 pest in rice fields, but the level of the flying insects present this summer makes it a contender, LSU AgCenter entomologists say.

The best insecticides for controlling stink bug infestations appear to be Karate and Mustang Max, both of which show control for four to five days after applications, Castro says.

One reason stink bugs are a bigger pest this year than in 2002 may be the dry weather that plagued rice farmers until the past two weeks. With drought-like conditions killing other grasses, "the stink bugs moved to whatever rice was blooming, because there weren't that many grasses to feed on," Castro says.

Farmers should scout fields closely, looking for off-white egg masses on the leaves of rice plants. The eggs are shaped like little barrels, Castro says.

When the stink bugs hatch, the insects typically feed on the remnants of their eggs for a day or so, giving farmers time to prepare insecticide treatments.

Adult stink bugs attack the rice plant and often prevent rice kernels from developing. Or in more mature plants, they suck the contents from rice kernels, leaving dark circles of damage that also can serve as pathways for plant diseases.

Scouting methods include walking through rice fields with a net and making up to 100 sweeps in different sections of the field. Castro says insecticides should be used when 30 bugs are captured every 100 sweeps during the first two weeks after heading of the rice plant.

These recommended thresholds are for Louisiana only. If you farm in another state, consult your state's stink bug thresholds.

Entomologists warn of big stink but problem

Rice stink bugs are on the wing in southwestern Louisiana rice fields, and LSU AgCenter entomologists expect this summer to be worse than last year for potential crop damage. "We're seeing stink bugs now everywhere - all the fields we visit," says LSU AgCenter enotomologist Boris Castro. "A lot of places the farmers have sprayed already, some twice." Castro and LSU bug expert Dr. Mike Stout discussed rice water weevil and stink bug control June 26 at the annual Rice Field Day at the LSU AgCenter's Rice Research Station in Crowley. More than 600 participants - farmers, scientists and others - attended the field day under overcast skies. As for the problem insects discussed during the field day, rice stink bugs don't yet rival the water weevil as the No. 1 pest in rice fields, but the level of the flying insects present this summer makes it a contender, LSU AgCenter entomologists say. The best insecticides for controlling stink bug infestations appear to be Karate and Mustang Max, both of which show control for four to five days after applications, Castro says. One reason stink bugs are a bigger pest this year than in 2002 may be the dry weather that plagued rice farmers until the past two weeks. With drought-like conditions killing other grasses, "the stink bugs moved to whatever rice was blooming, because there weren't that many grasses to feed on," Castro says. Farmers should scout fields closely, looking for off-white egg masses on the leaves of rice plants. The eggs are shaped like little barrels, Castro says. When the stink bugs hatch, the insects typically feed on the remnants of their eggs for a day or so, giving farmers time to prepare insecticide treatments. Adult stink bugs attack the rice plant and often prevent rice kernels from developing. Or in more mature plants, they suck the contents from rice kernels, leaving dark circles of damage that also can serve as pathways for plant diseases. Scouting methods include walking through rice fields with a net and making up to 100 sweeps in different sections of the field. Castro says insecticides should be used when 30 bugs are captured every 100 sweeps during the first two weeks after heading of the rice plant. These recommended thresholds are for Louisiana only. If you farm in another state, consult your state's stink bug thresholds.
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